Driver 'taken to hospital' after car smashes through railings of South Shields nursery

The Nissan car careered over a wall outside Ashley Road Nursery, near Stanhope Road, in South Shields.

The driver of the car is believed to have been taken to hospital following the smash, which left the car seriously damaged.

One of the directors of the nursery, Brian Powell, told the Gazette of his shock at the news.

"I got a phone call from the manager at about 9.40pm on Friday asking if I could go down to the nursery because a car had gone through the railings.

"It's a very serious crash and I'm deeply shocked about it.

"Thankfully the building itself hasn't been damaged.

"It's been there for 50 years and we've been directors of the place for 15."

Despite the damage to the railings and the yard, Mr Powell moved to reassure parents of children who attend the nursery that it will be business as usual on Monday.

"We will be open as normal," he said.

"There is a clean up to do at the play area so that won't be used until all of that is sorted and put right.

"But because there's no damage to the nursery building itself we will be open."

The crash is thought to have happened at about 8.30pm on Friday.

Police have not yet released details of the incident despite attempts by the Gazette to contact officers.